Canon PIXMA iP4300 Printer - lines across the colour prints

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imagerap

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Robin
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My printer has started leaving what looks like very faint almost dotted imprints across the whole length of the paper as it prints. There about 7 pairs of lines that I can see, each about 25mm apart and each pair of lines is about 2mm apart.

It doesn't look to be ink itself, moreover something possibly scratching the paper on the way through.
I've had the printer since June 07. It's been fantastic up to now. Always used Canon ink as well.

Tried cleaning and 'deep' cleaning as well but it doesn't seem to shift whatever's causing it.

Is there a fix or is it just getting beyond its sell by date?

Would appreciate others experience of these printers as if I have to get a new one, then I'd like to stick to the Canon brand.
 
Have you done the head alignment and test print as well?
If not, do so and compare.
You may need to do the deep cleaning more than once.
There's also a setting for reducing paper abrasion, check it's optioned.
 
Wonder if it's the rollers catching the paper and the ink hasn't dried ?

You've not changed paper have you ?

Not sure if you can, but can you remove the printer head module and clean / deep soak it yourself - on mine (4500) the printer head module was a separate item you clipped into place - not sure if you can clean it or if it causes any damage, but if you've tried everything else and nothing is working, rin my book, you've nothing to loose...

With regards to a new one - yes I would stick with a Canon - the choice to make is do you go for the new version of yours (printer only) or one of their multi-purpose printers, which gives you wireless as well...

If you're printer has died, do let me know if you've any ink you wish to get rid of :)
 
I think it's the rollers, happens on my IP4300 when I use too thick paper or if I set print sharpening too high.
 
PJ S said:
.............There's also a setting for reducing paper abrasion, check it's optioned.
Click to expand...

Didn't know about that, discovered it under Maintenance, Custom settings.

Thanks for the info. and will have a wee look to see if it helps, next time I print.
 
Sounds like the rollers to me too, try cleaning them with Isopropyl Alcohol and Cotton Buds.
 
Thanks for replies so far.

Andyred
Service manual looks very useful, thanks. So I will:
- Deep clean another couple of times.
- Clean rollers using the folded paper technique shown in manual.
Hopefully that will improve things.

BTW: I did change paper from ordinary A4 80g to heavier Photo paper, but amended print options to 'Glossy paper' and 'High Quality' etc. Have I missed something?

PJ: I will also look at doing a Head Alignment check and reduce the 'Abrasion' setting. How bizarre, never knew that existed.

Also in the service manual it talks about cleaning the Bottom Plate as well.

I'll try and work through options one stage at a time to see what happens and report back, but may not be for a couple of days as off to Focus on Imaging tomorrow.

Thanks again all.
 
So then:
- Deep Cleaned Nozzles: No change
- Aligned Heads: No change
- Set 'Prevent Paper Abrasion': No change. (If anything it had a slightly detrimental effect on the print quality.)
- Cleaned Bottom Plate: No change.
Actually, when I say no change after all of the above, the prints did look slightly more vibrant. However, those lines are still there and no better than before.

I did try the clean roller trick as contained in the Service Manual, but it didn't have any effect, though it did remove a bit of old ink. Have to say I'm nervous about starting to take the printer apart to get to the rollers.

The more I look at the marks on the glossy print paper, the more it looks like 100's of microscopic pin-pricks.

I will take the prints with me tomorrow and see if anyone on the Canon stand can explain what's happening.
 
imagerap said:
The more I look at the marks on the glossy print paper, the more it looks like 100's of microscopic pin-pricks.

I will take the prints with me tomorrow and see if anyone on the Canon stand can explain what's happening.
Click to expand...

These are the pin rollers that more the paper on.

You say you've recently changed paper - have you altered your settings for print out ?

I presume you're printing photo's out - have you altered the printer output as if it's printing out and running the paper out too quick, the inks is still wet, so you have the pin pricks appear as the rollers are running over wet ink.

I've had this previously ...
 
andyred said:
These are the pin rollers that more the paper on.

You say you've recently changed paper - have you altered your settings for print out ?

I presume you're printing photo's out - have you altered the printer output as if it's printing out and running the paper out too quick, the inks is still wet, so you have the pin pricks appear as the rollers are running over wet ink.

I've had this previously ...
Click to expand...

Hi. Yes I changed paper from plain A4 to 150gm Glossy Photo Paper, but before printing changed options to 'Glossy Photo Paper' and 'High' quality, which results in print taking a lot longer to output (which is what I'd expect for a quality photo v letter to Gas Board etc).

What am I doing wrong then?
 
imagerap said:
Hi. Yes I changed paper from plain A4 to 150gm Glossy Photo Paper, but before printing changed options to 'Glossy Photo Paper' and 'High' quality, which results in print taking a lot longer to output (which is what I'd expect for a quality photo v letter to Gas Board etc).

What am I doing wrong then?
Click to expand...

Don't think you be doing something wrong as such, it maybe you need to choose a different setting ...

I presume it's not Canon paper. Try normal quality for print, try best quality, try glossy photo II etc ...

Does the paper suggest any settings for canon printers ?

Does the manufacturer supply any profiles for the paper you can download and use ?
 
And if you use a piece of A4 and print out smaller photos on it - say 6x4 with some manipulation you should be able to get 4 photos on 1 sheet, allowing you compare each photo for quality etc easily.
 
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Best the Canon guys could come up with was that the paper is too sensitive (i.e. soft) to the pin roller action, so gave me some Canon paper to try out to see if it persists.

They also said that Print Head looked like it needed replacing: Any suggestions whilst this topic is live as to where best place is to get a replacement (c/w cost etc.)???
 
Have a look on the Internet and see if there is anyone selling them. I'd look at cost as the new printers are around £65.

Looks like we were right then about the rollers - did you try different settings ? Did the Canon paper make any difference ?
 
andyred said:
Have a look on the Internet and see if there is anyone selling them. I'd look at cost as the new printers are around £65.

Looks like we were right then about the rollers - did you try different settings ? Did the Canon paper make any difference ?
Click to expand...

Mmmm: New Print Heads are not cheap (£60-£80 are the best prices I could find). Plus yes, looks like rollers are playing up as well: Even tried printing from bottom Cassette tray, but still same problem, even with Canon glossy paper.

However, I took a look on the Canon 'Outlet' eBay site a couple of days ago and what d'ya know, they had a refurbished MG6150 (All-in-One - which we were planning to switch over to anyway at some point) going for a shade under £60.00 (understand they were around £200 new!). 6 ink heads and wireless as well. :)

So, not the cheapest day out, but we are back up and running. :cool:

Meanwhile, the ip4300 is still perfectly OK for general document printing so will keep for time being and use up the stock of ink we have for it.

Thanks for all of the constructive input though. :thumbs: :thumbs:
 
What inks does the 4300 take? Could be interested once you qualify for classifieds access...


Just checked and I would be interested if/when you want shot of the inks. (At the right price of course) Will wait for the cflassifieds post!
 
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imagerap said:
Mmmm: New Print Heads are not cheap (£60-£80 are the best prices I could find). Plus yes, looks like rollers are playing up as well: Even tried printing from bottom Cassette tray, but still same problem, even with Canon glossy paper.

However, I took a look on the Canon 'Outlet' eBay site a couple of days ago and what d'ya know, they had a refurbished MG6150 (All-in-One - which we were planning to switch over to anyway at some point) going for a shade under £60.00 (understand they were around £200 new!). 6 ink heads and wireless as well. :)

So, not the cheapest day out, but we are back up and running. :cool:

Meanwhile, the ip4300 is still perfectly OK for general document printing so will keep for time being and use up the stock of ink we have for it.

Thanks for all of the constructive input though. :thumbs: :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've got a good deal there.

As per my first post, if you do decide to get rid off the old printer, let me know as could be interested in the inks.

Let us know how you get in with the new printer
 
Sorry Andy, hadn't spotted that you had already enquired about the inks. Of course, to keep within the rules, they'll have to be advertised in the classifieds if/when they become available. In the meantime, I have 2 full sets in stock!
 
Hey Dudes - these inks are fast becoming rare and collectible and will be commanding premium prices through auction very soon . :D

Meanwhile, I'll probably use up what I have for general printing, so there may be the odd cartridge on offer at some point, but don't hold your breath.

Nod: The ip4300 takes CLI8 cartridges plus an extra special black pigment cartridge (PGI-5BK). Cost seems to be about £40-£45 a complete set, or about £7 ea for the basic cartridges.

Andyred: I'll let you know how the 6150 performs, but on first impressions, anyone looking to impress an A4 type of geeky girlfriend (sorry, or boyfriend) will have no problem scoring with this printer - and that's before you even print a single sheet :cool::cool:
 
A full set of the colours (CMY) plus 50 sheets of Canon paper (not the thick stuff but OK for albums) is often available in Tescos for between £25 and £30. The PGI-5Bk isn't included though. Those prices are for Canon genuine carts.
 
Yes you're right Nod. I've bought the CLI8 inks in that pack c/w 6x4 sheets quite a few times myself: It makes for a great value package.

Meanwhile I'm really impressed with the 6150. I forgot to say that for my £57, it came with a full set of cartridges already installed, plus another full set of 9ml cartridges as well. It's almost worth buying the printer just for the inks.

It's great to have a scanner again as well (don't know how I managed without one for so long) and it's so easy to use.

The 6150 is also getting healthy attention via Hot UK Deals as well now, so I don't think it will be long before they're all gone.
 
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